Why drive when you can walk? That’s the question the City of Charlottetown is posing once again as it launches the second year of Walk Your City – a project designed to encourage residents and visitors to hop on the sidewalks to explore the city instead of being in their cars.

Walk Your City consists of 49 wayfinding signs posted at major points of interest in the downtown. Each sign outlines the distance to the next destination in terms of minutes by foot instead of kilometres by car. Most locations are an average of ten minutes walking distance.

"If you’re at City Hall for example, did you know it only takes seven minutes to walk to the Victoria Park Boardwalk?" said Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee, chair of the City’s Urban Beautification and Sustainability Committee. "I’m sure there are people who have driven from the downtown to the park. What we’re trying to demonstrate with this project is that there are many points of interest within walking distance to one another. Walking is an excellent way to really enjoy and take in this great city. Also, this promotes a healthier, more active and environmentally friendly mode of transportation to visitors and residents alike."

Walk Your City aligns with the recommendations in the Regional Active Transportation Plan, as well as the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan by encouraging active living and linking sidewalks and walking paths to critical activity hubs.

The green, way-finding signs are located at visible points in the city, mainly posted on lampposts. Each sign includes a QR code that can be scanned with a smart phone to access GPS directions to the next destination. Walk Your City maps are also available at City Hall, the Charlottetown Tourism Information Centres and on the City’s website at: www.charlottetown.ca/sustainablecity.php

"This is an international idea that we’ve adapted for Charlottetown to help alleviate parking stress during the busy tourism season, and promote a fun way for residents and visitors to explore and contribute to a greener city," said Councillor Rob Lantz, vice-chair of the Urban Beautification and Sustainability Committee. "We thought the project was largely well-received last year and were pleased to be able to expand it with a few more signs this year. We hope everyone will be inspired to do more walking this year."

For more information or to obtain a Walk Your City map, contact the City’s Sustainability Coordinator Ramona Doyle at 902-629-6613 or rdoyle@charlottetown.ca